Danderma's Blog, page 88

Picture of the Week: As Cool as a Cat

Ever heard the expression “As cool as a cat”? Well, we experienced it first hand the other day when we returned home at night only to see lady Nefirtiti gazing nonchalantly at us while swatting her tail back and forth. Didn’t even flinch when we got out the camera and started snapping away at her. Very cool and very naughty cat…

Bs 3ad! Enough Already with Instagram Competitions…

Since 3/4 of Kuwait are now on instagram, I’m sure all of you had encountered the infamous, most annoying comment of last week: Please like 9orat el3o6or ele eb profily.

Dear companies, we realize that the use of Social media outlets have been great for your business. I personally salute you for being modern and on trend. I don’t blame you for holding out competitions at all but please, for the love of god, I beg of you DO NOT have competitions where people with the most number of likes win. PLEASE!

First, its unfair. Some pictures are truly horrible, simply an eyesore that lacks any creativity. Yet horrible pictures win because the person who submitted it is either very popular, have a huge extended family, or simply a shameless beggar who would stop at nothing to harass people, over an over and over and OVER again, for a like.

Why don’t you choose the best pictures yourself? Its not hard, gather the pictures, have 3-4 people from your management vote on them and announce the winners instead of having us, the poor instragrammers, ruing the day you have decided to hold a competition and counting the day until the competition is up.

And you, you beggars, have you no shame? No dignity? Really wallah? You think your horrible picture deserves to win what exactly? A bottle of perfume? Can’t you go and buy it yourself? Its not a Rolls Royce, or a Park Lane penthouse. Have you no regards to other people’s feeling? A bottle of perfume is the price for your own dignity, now that’s it?

If you’ve been annoyed by those instragrammers asking for votes, don’t be shy let it out here.

Review: Bobble Filtered Water Bottles

Last week I had received a new product I’ve never used before: a Bobble water bottle. Since its summer time and we need to drink water all day long to stay hydrated I always have bottle of mineral water at hand.

I’ve been told numerously that mineral water isn’t healthy because of the toxins in the plastic bottles and kidney stones forming because of the minerals. The alternative is to drink filter water from the kitchen faucet. Bobble can be filled with filter water and kept to chill in the fridge and then, as you drink, extra filtering of the water is done instantly.

The Bobble filter is a carbon based filter. Frankly I don’t know what that means as I’m not a chemist, but its supposed to remove all odors and chlorine or other chemicals from the tap water while you drink it.

The Bobble bottle is made of very light plastic and can be filled with up to half a liter (500 ml) of water. It looks sleek and modern and you can change the color by changing the filter.

My Bobble bottle came with a red filter. The filter needs to be changed after about 300 refills of the water bottle.

I followed the instructions, filled the Bobble with tap water and kept it in the fridge to chill, then I took it with me in the weekend.

How was it? Well, the filter water did taste better. Not as good as Volvic’s water of course but its more like Abraj or Aquafina. Sometimes filter water can have a metallic taste especially when its warm, as we say in Kuwaiti “7alay” but when you use Bobble that taste will not be present. Bobble is light and stylish and can fit inside my purse. Idea for taking on a walk or for the gym.

One thing I didn’t like is the head of the bottle, you know the one you have to pull out and then it squirts water into your mouth to drink? It annoys me, I usually like to sip my water but I know people who don’t mind the water squirt thing so its no big deal if you are a fan. I just wish it came in a version that allows sipping.

Bobble filtered water as available in Kuwait by online orders from www.Bobble.biz or by calling 50643211 or by sending an email to info@bobble.biz. Thank you Mr. Fahad Al-Modhayan for sending me the Booble to try. I hope my feedback was helpful.

Review: News Burger

We were in Jabriya running errands yesterday when we remembered that there is a new burger restaurant in K-Town so we decided to stop by and check it out. The name is News Burger.

The restaurant’s decorations is true to its name, breaking news hanging on the wall, news music playing in the background.

Now, to the menu.

A screen showing different dishes is besides the menu as well.

The order was one single burger with everything except the hot sauce and one cheese fries for take away.

How is the food? Well, here is the fries…

The burger my husband loved. Especially the bun which was grilled from the inside and slightly had the texture of a croissant on the outside of the top bun.

News Burger is located in Jabriya. For more information and directions you can follow them on Twitter (@News_Burger) or Instagram (@News_Burger).

Movie Review: The Amazing Spider-Man

As a big Spider-man fan I’ve been waiting for movie four to come out for sometimes now. Then I learned that the fourth Spider-man movie is NOT the fourth movie in the original Spider-man series. Its a complete reboot of Spider-man on the big screen. Starting all over with all new actors.

I don’t really see why would they do that after three movies of Spider-man. Why the reboot? Why can’t Hollywood make up its mind and stick to something?  Or at least wait a while until they reintroduced the entire thing? Such as the case with Superman y3ni?

Anyway I couldn’t wait to see the movie. The best way, the modern way, to watch it is in 3D on an IMAX screen and so we did and I really enjoyed it. The new Spider-man stars Andrew Garfield as Spider-man instead of Toby Maguire. I like Garfield a lot but I personally think that Maguire was more suitable playing the geeky teenage outcast than  Garfield. Garfield is too cool for the role.

The movie is good, at some point I almost cried (near the end, with the cranes). I missed the angry editor from The Daily Bugle who hated Spider-man. I missed MJ but in this installment of Spider-man they are going with Peter Parker’s first love, Gwen, starring Emma Stone who is actually Garfield’s real life girlfriend. I also missed Harry Osbourne who is said to appear in the sequel of this movie. Aunt May is played by Oscar winning Sally Field! Didn’t see that one coming!

By sheer chance, I was watching Spider-man 1 on OSN and when it ended I went to watch The Amazing Spider-man. I have to say I prefer the first Spider-man triology so far but that doesn’t mean the new thing is not good. Its more modern, more sleek, and barely a repeat of the original. I can now finally buy the first triology as DVD as I was waiting for all 6 promised films to come out and wait out this new Spider-Man collection which I do hope will last more than 3 movies. Highly recommended especially in 3D Imax

Blast 4m the Past: MSX King Valley Game & Ending

One of the ten most popular games of MSX in the old days was probably King Valley. You know him, the little adventurer who goes inside the pyramid and collects orbs that open up a gateway to the next room while trying to dodge mummies. We called it King’s Valley even though we didn’t speak much English back then.

There are two versions of King Valley. The first one which we owned had hideous animation and wasn’t that exciting. Three different sets of cousin siblings of mine had King Valley 2 which is the one that’s popular and since we didn’t play it at home we had to wait until we visited a cousin’s house to play it. I don’t think we ever got past stage 6 or 7.

One of my older cousins once told me, when I was playing King Valley at their house, that there are 100 stages and only a genius can finish this game. I suppose that’s when my fixation with the game started. I wanted to finish it, I wanted to see how ‘clever’ I am, I wanted to gloat that I was move clever than all of my cousins.

Then life went on and we grew up, the MSX disappeared from our lives but when I rediscovered the MSX Emulator I began finishing the old games, one by one. I held back on King Valley until I was in the right mood and earlier this year, I began playing it. Hated the stupid white mummy who snuck on you while you drilled or dug.

Loved the little jumping Pharaoh who would jump right over your head if you time your walk correctly. Very cute.

To my surprise, even 24 years after its release, the game was still tricky to play! Not impossible, but not easy either. Turns out there are 60 and not 100 stages! What a pity! When I finally reached the final stage, I didn’t want it to end

But I did it! I finished it, all 60 stages of it. To my knowledge no one I knew had finished it back then. When I finally did I almost had tears in my eyes. I am the most clever one :p This is what happens when you finish the game.

Whose Vick?

LOST comes to mind!

Done, phew! Imagine if you mess the game up after 60 stages of hardwork over this button!

Bye bye King Valley, I’m glad I have completed you! It took 24 years but I finally did it. So much fun! Now, on to the next game to finish

Do you remember King Valley? Do you know anyone who finished it?

Gloria Jean’s Ramadan Delight Gift Basket

 

I had just arrived home yesterday when my door bell rang. Suddenly, there was a huge early Ramadan gift basket from Gloria Jean’s coffee. I had a flashback of the Ramadan gift basket I had received last year (post).  With the gift basket came a catalog of Gloria Jean’s gift baskets.

I will get back to the catalog later on in the post. Now, unwrapping the basket from the paper.

A little bit overwhelming! Lets see what’s inside. The first to come out of the basket were those two bottles.

Two bottles of flavored syrups in orange and strawberry. You can add them to any hot or cold drink.

Next those small bags of crispy munchies: Date Sticks, Sesame Crunch, and Peanut Brittle. The Date Sticks are really really good if you are a date lover.

Next came three bags with softer ingredients: Prunes, Raisins, and Mixed Nuts.

Next came a box of dried fruits and a box of mixed nuts.

Four boxes of Joud biscuits in different flavors. My husband adores those biscuits.

Zaatar, Date & Orange, Cinnamon, and Cardamom & Saffron biscuits.

Last but not least, this big box of those juicy full bodied dried fruits.

This is the entire haul of the basket, woah! Talk about having an entire supply of dried fruits and nuts for Ramadan.

According to the gift basket catalouge I got with the basket, I had received the “Ramadan Delight” basket.

This is the list of items inside the basket.

Last year we had gotten the “Coffee to Go” basket (post).

There are other types of gift baskets available, such as the “Organic & Healthy” and the “Tea for Two” gift baskets.

If you are still wondering what to get your loved ones as a gift for Ramadan’s arrival or maybe as a house warming gift or any other type of gift, you can choose any of Gloria Jean’s gift baskets. They’ve made me really happy, twice.

Thank you Gloria Jeans for the Ramadan gift. I believe this is the first Ramadan gift I’ve gotten this year. I really cannot wait for Ramadan’s arrival Allah y3odah 3leena eb 9e7a o 3afiya insha2 Allah. Mbarak 3lekom el Shahar.

If you are interested in a Gloria Jean’s gift basket or for more information you can contact Gloria Jean’s by calling 99698488. You can also visit their facebook page (link) or follow them on twitter (@GloriaJeans_KWT).

Help: Insomnia Solution Needed

It started about a year ago, maybe last summer. Suddenly, sleep never came to me. No matter what I do, no matter how tired I am or how early I woke up, even if my eyes were drooping, I can never switch off and sleep.

I tried every old trick in the book: aroma therapy, relaxation, not stressing, cut my coffee consumption to decaf, cut off even the decaf coffee, cut off all sources of caffeine, drinking warm milk, clearing my mind from all my troubles before I went to bed but to no avail. I even went to a doctor and he gave me sleeping pills. He said they were very strong and should help me sleep. The made me drowsy the first time I took them, the next morning I woke up to a room swaying like I was boarding a ship in the middle of a troubled ocean, and when night time came nothing happened. Even those strong pills lost their effect after one night.

Its not that I don’t get sleepy, its just that I cannot switch off. Even if my mind is blank and I’m thinking about nothing, I cannot sleep. I’d stay till after morning prayers sometimes till 4 or 5 AM tossing and turning.

This is not healthy, this is not normal, and its been going on for a tad too long. I wonder if there other out there who are suffering from the same thing or is it just me? I feel like a freak, or a mutant owl or something. Plus, if you have a proven solution for a case like mine, I would love to hear it. I’m at my wits end here…

Things 2 Do in Dubai: Maria Bonita Taco Shop & Grill

The year was 2005 if I am not mistaken, when I read a Time Out review that gushed about an authentic Mexican restaurant in Dubai, the name was Maria Bonita. I read that review in the hotel and 5 minutes later we were on our way to Jumeira to try it out. We fell in love instantly and came back every time we go to Dubai.

Maria Bonita have a very busy shaded outdoorsy area even in the summer months. I usually prefer to sit outside. The ventilation and air conditioning inside are stuffy and horrible. But I was craving their nachos and burritos so bad this time I didn’t care.

Most of Maria Bonita’s customers are American & European expats. If not dining in they would come to pick up huge bags of takeaway. You won’t see any Kuwaiti staring at you up and down while you try to bite into your messy food.

The decor inside is very fitting of an authentic Mexican restaurant.

Ah there is the review that lead me to Maria Bonita, framed and hanged on the wall.

The menu.

It didn’t take us that long to order, we knew what we wanted. First, you are served a basket of Tortilla chips and two kinds of salsa: mild and spicy.

We ordered margaritas. Cold and delicious going down, perfect to battle the heat. Bel q8i bared yesarse7.

We also ordered the fresh guacamole, made right at your table. You can never have anything more fresh, more delicious.

The waiter pounding on the avocado pieces.

 

Done…

It was delicious. Creamy and tangy because of all that lime inside.

Next came the main dishes: my vegetarian burrito. The sour cream, the re fried beans, the rice, each is so unbelievably good on its own I could have them as a meal.

The cheese… gooey melted cheese oozing on top of my burrito.

Next came a chicken fajita with the works and the hot fresh tortillas.

Next to the front door of the restaurant there is a little stand that sells authentic Mexican food items plus Maria Bonita’s tortilla chips.

Pickled Serrano cans.

Canned white hominy. What is that?

Those remind me of the wrestlers in the movie where they sing I am I am… Jack black chinna?

If you are a fan of Mexican food and fancy an escape in Dubai, Maria Bonita is the place to be. Good Mexican restaurants are rare in the GCC but Maria Bonita is the best one I’ve ever tasted yet. Really, really good especially if you sit outside in the winter.

Maria Bonita is located in Umm Al Sheif Street, Jumeirah. Right next to what used to be Central Perk cafe -yes the one from friends- that I used to like as well only its now closed. Anyways for more information regarding Maria Bonita you can check their website (link) or follow them on twitter (@mbtacoshop).

Ramadan Preparations: The Samboosa Making

I’m a person who cannot resist samboosa. Given that I can polish off a platter of samboosa without looking twice, I limit myself to having it during Futoor in Ramadan and having it only baked instead of fried. Therefore, I have this tradition of making my own samboosas with my own ingredients when Ramadan approaches.

I know I don’t have to make samboosas at home given that they can be found everywhere but making samboosas is so easy plus its soothing, to me at least since it brings me back to the simple days of my childhood when we wrapped samboosas ourselves. Some women now adays look down at people who wrap samboosas themselves, even make fun of them. Well, guess what? You can spare me the spoiled attitude. I want to make them, kaifi! Anyways,  this is what I need.

A selection of cheeses: Akawi, Halloumi, Low fat low salt feta cheese, and Kiri. This year I chose Alban Dairy’s akawi and halloum for I have had a delicious previous experience (post). I cannot wait to see how they will elevate the taste of my samboosas.

Sheets of samboosa dough, quality ones of course. I only purchase mine from Qadsiya Co-op samboosa guy. They have the best samboosas in Kuwait, hands down. I usually purchase one kilo and its enough for around 100-120 samboosas.

I freeze my samboosas in Tupperware boxes. Therefore I use wax paper between samboosa layers so they don’t stick to each other. I cut them the size of the box.

Now if I’m using akawi cheese I need to have it soaking in water for two days otherwise it would turn out too salty. Two days later I wash it and chop it into cubes with the halloum cheese, add some chopped fresh herbs, whatever I can find, and mix well.

The low fat low salt white cheese I use is mixed with dry mint.

I found out that the dry mint tastes much better than fresh mint in samboosas for some reason. mixing them both can’t be easier.

The last thing I need is a glue used to close the samboosas. Nothing fancy, just a bit of flour -wheat, rice, corn- mixed with a bit of warm water.

Now that everything is ready, its time to wrap the samboosas. I put on a dvd -The ring- and sat on the dining table watching and wrapping.  First I take out a few sheets of samboosa dough at a time, covering the remaining sheets with a damp towel so it doesn’t dry up.

The samboosa sheets are so tempting, I cannot resist not sneaking a few while wrapping samboosas and eating them especially if they are bought fresh and bubbling hot. Next, this is how you wrap it in steps, its so easy, basically you fold it 3 times as a triangle and fill it with the akawi cheese mix then seal off the edge and voila, you are done!

The technique differs a bit when wrapping soft cheese, it becomes much easier.

 

And with Kiri cheese is its even easier as the Kiri cheese square is the perfect size for a samboosa when cut in half.

As for the samboosa filling, the world is full with possibilities. Cheeses, Pizza filling (tomato sauce, olives, and mozzarella cheese), Mexican (re fried beans,  sour cream, cheddar cheese, guacamole), Traditional Kuwaiti (chopped canned Kraft cheese), Minced meat, Cooked veggies, Apple pie filling, chocolate, Qaymar & Honey, PB and Chocolate swirls with caramelized nuts. I did plain chocolate ones which I will dust with some powdered sugar when they are baked.

This is what I mean by stacking the samboosas over waxed baking sheets.

When one box is done, it goes into the freezer awaiting Ramadan’s arrival.

I can’t wait for Ramadan to arrive. I love this time of year, the anticipation, the preparations, the longing, the shopping. Mbarak 3lekom el shahar in advance. Allah ybale’3na eb shahar Ramadan  o y3eena 3la 9yamah o qyamah insha2 Allah.